From the Principal's Den
February 2026
Mayville MS/HS
This fall, our middle school and high school students participated in the Panorama student survey, which helps us better understand how students experience school beyond academics. We are grateful to our students for sharing their honest feedback, as it allows us to better support their growth and well-being.
One area that stood out across both groups was emotion regulation (how students manage feelings such as stress or frustration) and social awareness (how students understand and relate to others). These were the lowest-scoring areas overall. Encouragingly, high school students scored higher than middle school students in both areas, suggesting that these skills continue to develop as students mature.
These results align with what families, colleges, and employers consistently share: strong social-emotional skills are essential for success in school, the workplace, and life beyond graduation. Skills such as managing stress, communicating respectfully, resolving conflict, and working effectively with others are no longer “extra” — they are critical life skills. Whether students pursue college, skilled trades, the military, or enter the workforce directly, these abilities help them navigate pressure, teamwork, and real-world responsibilities.
In response to the survey results, we are being intentional about how we support students throughout the school day. One way we are doing this is by using student breaks as proactive behavioral and emotional regulation interventions, rather than viewing them as lost instructional time. Structured opportunities to reset, move, or decompress help students return to class more focused, regulated, and ready to learn.
We are also working to increase opportunities for students to engage with the broader community through service learning, partnerships, and real-world experiences. These experiences allow students to practice social awareness in authentic settings — learning to collaborate, understand different perspectives, and build responsibility beyond the classroom.
By strengthening social-emotional learning through classroom instruction, student supports, purposeful interventions, and community engagement, we are not taking time away from academics. We are building the foundation that allows students to learn more effectively, remain engaged, and grow into resilient, capable adults.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to support the whole child and prepare our students for success both in and beyond school.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Jenna Tetil
Mayville MS/HS Principal
